TY - JOUR
T1 - Knowledge and perceptions of couples' voluntary counseling and testing in Urban Rwanda and Zambia
T2 - A cross-sectional household survey
AU - Kelley, April L.
AU - Karita, Etienne
AU - Sullivan, Patrick S.
AU - Katanguila, Francois
AU - Chomba, Elwyn
AU - Carael, Michel
AU - Telfair, Joseph
AU - Dunham, Steve M.
AU - Vxalika, Cheswa M.
AU - Kautzman, Michele G.
AU - Wall, Kristin M.
AU - Allen, Susan A.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Background: Most incident HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa occur between cohabiting, discordant, heterosexual couples. Though couples' voluntary HIV counseling and testing (CVCT) is an effective, well-studied intervention in Africa, <1% of couples have been jointly tested. Methods: We conducted cross-sectional household surveys in Kigali, Rwanda (n = 600) and Lusaka, Zambia (n = 603) to ascertain knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to use of CVCT. Results: Compared to Lusaka, Kigali respondents were significantly more aware of HIV testing sites (79% vs. 56%); had greater knowledge of HIV serodiscordance between couples (83% vs. 43%); believed CVCT is good (96% vs. 72%); and were willing to test jointly (91% vs. 47%). Stigma, fear of partner reaction, and distance/cost/logistics were CVCT barriers. Conclusions: Though most respondents had positive attitudes toward CVCT, the majority were unaware that serodiscordance between cohabiting couples is possible. Future messages should target gaps in knowledge about serodiscordance, provide logistical information about CVCT services, and aim to reduce stigma and fear.
AB - Background: Most incident HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa occur between cohabiting, discordant, heterosexual couples. Though couples' voluntary HIV counseling and testing (CVCT) is an effective, well-studied intervention in Africa, <1% of couples have been jointly tested. Methods: We conducted cross-sectional household surveys in Kigali, Rwanda (n = 600) and Lusaka, Zambia (n = 603) to ascertain knowledge, perceptions, and barriers to use of CVCT. Results: Compared to Lusaka, Kigali respondents were significantly more aware of HIV testing sites (79% vs. 56%); had greater knowledge of HIV serodiscordance between couples (83% vs. 43%); believed CVCT is good (96% vs. 72%); and were willing to test jointly (91% vs. 47%). Stigma, fear of partner reaction, and distance/cost/logistics were CVCT barriers. Conclusions: Though most respondents had positive attitudes toward CVCT, the majority were unaware that serodiscordance between cohabiting couples is possible. Future messages should target gaps in knowledge about serodiscordance, provide logistical information about CVCT services, and aim to reduce stigma and fear.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/79955847724
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0019573
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0019573
M3 - Article
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 6
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
IS - 5
M1 - e19573
ER -
